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Second person arrested following vicious assault which left two men in hospital

A second person has been arrested following an assault which left two men in hospital on Sunday afternoon.

The 28-year-old man was arrested in the Lurgan area earlier this morning (Wednesday) on suspicion of a number of offences, including common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage. He is currently in custody, assisting police with enquiries.

It follows on from the arrest of a 15-year-old boy in connection with the assault in the Bridge Street area of Portadown.

Two men were dragged from a car and beaten by a large group of males in what has been described as a vicious sectarian attack.

One of the men is still being treated in hospital for his injuries.

Horrified onlookers watched as two men were pulled from a car which also contained a woman and a two-month-old baby – they were uninjured.

Sinn Fein councillor Paul Duffy says the men were pulled from the car because of a jersey one of the men was wearing at the time.

The front windscreen of the Renault Clio was smashed up while it sat at a set of traffic lights.

It is thought he was identified as Catholic by the football jersey he was wearing.

“Those responsible should face the full force of the law,” he said.

“The resounding message must be that there is absolutely no place for sectarianism in our society. I urge the local community to rally behind this message.”

PSNI Chief Inspector Jon Burrows described the attack as “cowardly”.

“We know people witnessed it – we need their help,” he said.

“There have been a number of sectarian crimes in the Craigavon and Portadown areas recently.

“Let us be clear, we work hard with communities and partners for good relations and peaceful summers, however, actions have consequences for those who break the law.”

The vicious assault came just days after a bonfire was prematurely set alight (pictured) in the Edenderry area of the town.

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